If you really tallied things up, those individuals ought to thank Wu Kuang profusely. Without his rampage, none of them would have had the chance to achieve the Supreme Body.
"But there's always a chance, isn't there?" Sheng Yuzhu smiled faintly. Perhaps at her peak she could have been considered a beauty, her smile sweet, but her current appearance made smiling a poor choice—it only looked worse than crying. "Your greatest advantage is that you're young."
Yang Kai nodded. "Senior is right." He had only cultivated for a little over a hundred years, and with his aptitude, reaching the Third Stage of the Emperor Realm and even approaching the threshold of a Great Emperor was absolutely not beyond his reach. With such a long lifespan, when that time came, the pinnacle might not be out of reach.
Sheng Yuzhu said leisurely, "If that day truly comes… I mean if such a day arrives, I will tell you how to achieve the Great Emperor's throne."
Yang Kai's body jolted, a sharp light flickering in his eyes as he stared at Sheng Yuzhu. "Senior knows the secret of becoming a Great Emperor?"
This had always been something that puzzled him. All he knew was that becoming a Great Emperor required mastery of the world's great power—he knew nothing else. But Great Emperors were exalted beyond measure; even mastering that power didn't guarantee success. Now, Sheng Yuzhu's words had shown him limitless hope.
Sheng Yuzhu said, "If I hadn't been ambushed by Wu Kuang back then, I might not have been without a chance. I've experienced something similar once before. What do you think—do I know or not?"
Yang Kai immediately found himself fidgeting, itching with curiosity, wishing he could resort to brute force to pry open Sheng Yuzhu's mouth and extract every last secret. If he could truly comprehend the secret of becoming a Great Emperor, then when the moment arrived, he would be steps ahead of everyone else.
But he was not, in the end, someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong. Sheng Yuzhu was returning his kindness in kind—how could he betray his own principles?
It had to be said that Sheng Yuzhu's gift was rather grand. Though it sounded ethereal and unreliable, it was more precious than any Artifact or rare treasure.
He grinned. "Can't you tell me now?" Even knowing it was unlikely, he had to try. Perhaps she really would be generous enough to share everything.
Sheng Yuzhu slowly shook her head. "The time isn't right. Telling you would be useless. Focus on your Cultivation. Opportunity favors the prepared."
Yang Kai nodded and didn't press further. Then his expression turned serious again. "But when that time comes, this junior may have to compete with Senior. Aren't you worried about creating a powerful enemy for yourself?"
Even if such an opportunity truly arose, it would be exceedingly slim. It couldn't be like the battle at the Shattered Star Sea, where multiple Great Emperor positions had suddenly opened up. A Great Emperor was someone whose death alone shook heaven and earth.
So even if an opportunity appeared in the future, it would most likely be a single position. Sheng Yuzhu was essentially forging a formidable adversary for herself—and one who would know everything she knew.
Sheng Yuzhu laughed upon hearing this. "When the Great Dao is contested, it's either your death or mine. Besides, do you really think that when the time comes, it'll be just the two of us? Anyone in heaven and earth who qualifies will feel the pull. Perhaps you and I can even join forces."
"So that's how Senior sees it." All of Yang Kai's doubts melted away. He had to admit she made excellent sense. When that time truly came, the old monsters hiding away in seclusion throughout heaven and earth would likely swarm forward. One more or one less person wouldn't make a difference—and he could even join hands with Sheng Yuzhu to face other enemies, leaving the final reckoning of life and death until the very end.
With that thought, Yang Kai hesitated no longer. He clasped his fists. "Senior's kindness leaves this junior deeply grateful. Then let us leave this place now."
"I'm in your hands." Sheng Yuzhu nodded gently, and the voice she struggled to keep calm was visibly trembling, revealing just how excited she was.
After all, she had been trapped here for tens of thousands of years. If she didn't get out soon, she would truly crumble into a pile of dry bones.
Yang Kai knew she had difficulty moving, so he didn't stand on ceremony. He walked straight over, murmured an apology, and lifted her into his arms. She was feather-light, like holding a bundle of bones—it made Yang Kai sigh with emotion.
A being who had stood half a step from the Great Emperor's throne, reduced to such a state. How much suffering had she endured over the years? And she was a woman at that. He couldn't imagine what she had done to provoke Wu Kuang, only to be ambushed before she even had the chance to vie for the throne.
The power of space rippled as Yang Kai carved a passage back the way he had come. In the blink of an eye, they returned to the valley.
Rich spiritual energy surged in from every direction. In his arms, Sheng Yuzhu couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Her clouded eyes suddenly blazed with astonishing brilliance. How many years had it been—how many years since she had felt the presence of spiritual energy? In that spatial rift, there had been nothing but endless void and chaos. Had she not possessed a profound technique to protect herself, she never could have endured for so long.
Yang Kai could clearly feel Sheng Yuzhu trembling in his arms, and he understood her emotions. He deliberately changed the subject. "This place is the Rakshasa Sect of the Southern Domain. Senior may not have heard of it, but it has recently suffered a devastating blow—countless experts within the sect have been killed or injured. I have some connection with someone here, so I've come to serve as a Guest Elder and offer what protection I can. If Senior doesn't find it beneath her, you're welcome to recuperate within the sect for now, and we can make further plans once you've recovered somewhat."
"A half-dead body—it doesn't matter," Sheng Yuzhu said, entirely unconcerned. She was simply breathing in the surrounding air greedily, as though she had been reborn.
Yang Kai said, "Since Senior has no objections, then leave everything to me."